Gandhinagar: Political activity has intensified across Gujarat ahead of the upcoming municipal and panchayat elections, with the State Election Commission likely to announce the poll schedule on March 26. The Model Code of Conduct is expected to come into effect immediately after the current Assembly session concludes(on March 25), triggering full-scale election mode across the state.

The elections will be conducted for 394 local self-government institutions, marking the first major civic polls after the implementation of 27 percent reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in local bodies.

Elections Across 394 Civic Bodies

According to sources, voting will be held for:

• 15 Municipal Corporations (including 6 existing and 9 newly formed corporations)

• 83 Municipalities

• 34 District Panchayats

• 262 Taluka Panchayats

The polls will be significant as they will test the political strength of parties at the grassroots level after the new OBC quota has been implemented.

In recent weeks, the state government has announced several development initiatives related to urban infrastructure, roads, water supply and civic amenities. Civic bodies have held Seva Setu events. Political observers view these announcements as part of preparations ahead of the elections. DeshGujarat